Bahrain riot police fire tear gas at protesters<\/p>\n
World Jul. 03, 2011 – 05:52AM JST ( 0 )<\/p>\n
DUBAI \u2014<\/p>\n
Riot police in Bahrain fired tear gas at anti-government protesters denouncing reconciliation talks between the Gulf kingdom\u2019s rulers and the Shiite-led opposition on Saturday just hours after the dialogue began.<\/p>\n
The renewed unrest\u2014described by witnesses\u2014underlines the deep tensions on the island nation after more than four months of harsh security crackdowns by the Western-allied monarchy.<\/p>\n
It also points to the political risks for Bahrain\u2019s biggest Shiite party, Al Wefaq, which decided to join the U.S.-encouraged talks despite widespread anger among the majority Shiites\u2014who claim they suffer systematic discrimination at the hands of the Sunni dynasty ruling Bahrain.<\/p>\n
The protesters gathered near a landmark square in Manama, which was the epicenter of the Shiite uprising for greater rights that began in February. The witnesses said several hundred marchers chanted \u201cNo dialogue\u201d just hours after a ceremony to open the talks in the strategic nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy\u2019s 5th Fleet.<\/p>\n
The witnesses spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of harassment by authorities.<\/p>\n
There were no immediate reports of injuries during the demonstrations that started after a funeral for a protester, who died on Thursday in a military hospital from injuries sustained during the unrest in March. …more<\/a><\/p>\n